The Cosmos. Expansive and infinite. Such a thing to us equines, has terrified us yet, at the very same time, intrigued us for centuries. Perhaps even millennia. It hides many secrets, ones I am very keen on finding. No amount of space is too far. However I fear straying too far from Equus may put my...subjects in danger. Yes, they have the mane six, but they can’t scour the entire planet in less than a minute. I leave them be for the most part. Though they have no idea I exist. I always knew exactly how to do that. Be seen only when I wanted to be seen.
My name is Solar Firedawn. You don’t know me, but I do, indeed, know you. You see, I am capable of many things. One of those is flying several times...the speed of light. I am knowledgeable in any spell that has existed. It is what happens when you are over three thousand years old.
I am currently in the expanse flying about one hundred thousand Mach towards Equus. Don’t worry. I have done this many times before. I will arrive in around... Five seconds. Four. Three. Two.
One...
The clouds immediately engulf my entire being. Refreshing I must say. I slow my descent and land in a flowery field. I look up and see a small town. About a five minute walk I suppose.
“This must be Ponyville. Excellent. I’ve landed in the right place.”
***
At this moment, we finally see Solar’s entire physical form. An alicorn, around 4”9 on all fours. His coat has the strange texture of ash, also sharing its color as well. A straight red tail with black streaking from the middle and a mane that is different shades of orange can be seen. He exudes a mysterious aura around him. Scars on his sides, faded memories of battles long ago plague his otherwise pristine coat. He starts making his way to the quaint town but then realizes something.
“Being an alicorn is sure to turn heads. Hmm. I have an idea. Given it’s still early in the morning, there shouldn’t be too many ponies that take note of me.”
Solar’s horn glows a brilliant and blinding orange. A low droning noise can be heard as his physical properties change and warp. The light fades away, leaving a gray pegasus in its wake.
“This should work.”
Satisfied with the spell’s effects, he continues towards the town and begins his way towards a train station. Things seem to have changed since his last visit decades ago. He steps onto the platform and finds a map of Ponyville on a wall next to a window where a dark brown earth pony stallion can be seen sleeping.
“Excuse me sir?” Solar whispers.
“Wha- who’s speaking?”
Solar lets out a soft chuckle. “Just passing through here. I do have a question however. Is this map by chance...current?”
The stallion leans forward a bit and looks at the map. “Yeah. If current means last year then this is what you are looking for.”
“I may be able to make it work. And the price of tickets if I may ask?”
The stallion gives Solar a questioning glance. “Ya from around here?”
“No sir. I am from Cloudsdale, just visiting...” Solar begins to panic, thinking of what to say.
“Family?”
Solar lets out a sigh of relief. “Yep. Anyone here for you? Just curious.”
“Got a wife who goes by the name Rosemary. My advice? Stay single!”
Solar and the stallion shared a brief laugh. After they compose themselves, the stallion extends a hoof across the counter.
“Speedy Ticket. Yours?”
Solar flashed a friendly smile. “Solar Firedawn. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise. Not very many pegasi here in Ponyville but it is still a welcome sight. Though I must say, interesting name for a pegasus. I kind of like it though!”
Solar looks away briefly in embarrassment. “Speedy Ticket huh? Seems somewhat binding to just a particular job. No offence mind you.”
The stallion gives a hearty laugh. “Yeah I thought the same thing. Us earth ponies tend to have more routine in our lives.”
Solar looks around and finally realizes... He has places to be.
“I deeply apologize, but I must get going. Nice meeting you Speedy!”
“Likewise Mr. Firedawn!”
Solar waves at the stallion as he departs. Heading for the place he has been dreading the most. Twilight’s library. Not a far walk. Closer to the edge of town actually. That just made the foreboding feeling a bit more troublesome.While on his way, Solar notices a small purple figure a little ways away. It slowly walks toward Solar with its mouth agape. It becomes clearer and turns out to be a baby dragon.
“You’re an alicorn?”
“Excuse me? Solar reaches for his head and feels his horn there. He also takes note that his wings are present. He must have lost too much focus on the spell and it probably failed. “Yes. I am. How do I put this? I am on my way to Twilight’s library. I need to speak with her.”
“Well, first off, who are you?
“I am Solar Firedawn. And you?
“Spike.” Solar offers a hoof and Spike hesitantly shakes it.
“I was on my way to Rarity’s. I’ll take you to Twilight on the way there.”
Solar accepts and they soon find themselves at the library’s front door.
Spike looks back at Solar.”Wait here. I’ll get her”
“Very well.”
Spike walks in and Solar hears a female voice from within.
“So much for staying anonymous.”
“Spike. There are no gray alicorns. Only the Princesses are alicorns. In all of Equestria!”
“Twilight! He is RIGHT there!”
A grumble can be heard and Solar still hasn’t stepped inside, despite the open door.
“I am sorry but the library is-” She stops talking for a moment upon seeing Solar, an alicorn, standing at her front door. Just another day in Ponyville.
“closed”
Spike takes a nervous glance at the both of them and walks off. “Yeah I’ll catch you two later!”
Solar stares back and takes a deep breath, and offers a simple greeting. “Hello Twilight.”
Twilight takes a step back as her eyes widen in surprise.
“You were actually serious.”
Solar flinches as she hops away. He then looks back at Twilight, worried about his decision to come clean.
Twilight’s expression is one of shock. “Ok. Who are you? And why are you here?”
“I am Solar Firedawn. I come from a group known as Lightbringers, responsible for protecting worlds that need it. That being said, your own world, Equus, may soon have...unsavory events occuring in the coming months. Possibly years. My purpose is to stop that from happening. I know you don’t trust me Twilight, but I am here for the good of everypony.
Twilight shakes off her shock and has a neutral expression on her form. “I see. Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been in danger. Why should I trust you?”
Solar shakes his head. "I won't force you to trust anything Twilight. It's your own choice. The only things I can ask is that you give me a chance.
She steps aside and lets Solar inside. He gratefully accepts and walks in. Solar looks around, briefly noticing the simple furnishing, other than the numerous books and tomes on shelves.
“Impressive Twi.”
Twilight flinches. “Don’t call me that. Close friends call me by that name”
“Very well Twilight.”
She goes to a desk and gestures across from her. “Have a seat.’
Solar obeys and asks a question that can change at least how the rest of the day goes.
“Where do I begin?”
“Well, how about how you know my name?”
Solar knew that was coming. He was going to very possibly burn a bridge before it even existed.
“I know you Twilight. But you don’t know me.
Twilight tilts her head in confusion. How could only one of us know the other?”
“It’s quite complicated. You see, I’ve been watching you and everypony else. Just not as me.” After Solar says this, he shuts his eyes and concentrates on the image of Twilight. His ashy coat smoothens and starts to turn purple. His mane and tail soon follow. Before Twilight fully understands what is going on, she is looking at a clone of herself.
Twilight seems a bit shaken by the answer. “How did you do that??”
Solar gives a light scoff. “As I said. It’s complicated..”
Twilight nods. How do I know you aren’t a Changeling?
Solar scratches his chin briefly. “You don’t. I won’t force you to trust anything Twi. That isn’t who I am. You may just have to, if I may, take a leap of faith.” Solar notices his slip-up. “OH! Sorry Twilight. I said “Twi” again.”
Twilight gives a soft chuckle. “It’s OK Solar. If you want, you can stay here for the night and we’ll cover more of this tomorrow. Sound like a deal?”
He smiles a little bit which felt like the first genuine smile that day. “Deal.”
“Alrighty. Sorry but all I have is the couch.” Twilight says with a slight frown on her face.
“Don’t worry Twilight. I’ve dealt with far worse. I really don’t need to sleep anyway. I’ll humor you though.”
“Well, It is what friends are for isn’t it?”
Solar seems a little stunned. “Friends? I don’t even have a heart. I don’t bleed”
Twilight laughs once more. Heartily this time. “Solar. For someone thousands of years old, you sure have much to learn.
Solar smirks “Oh really?”
Twilight smiles even more. “Oh yes. REALLY. Anyways. We should get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day to say the least.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well you aren’t going to just stay holed up here are you?”
Solar furiously shakes his head “Absolutely not. I have a feeling you have friends who will want to know I am here I take it?”
Twilight nods sternly. “You got it Solar.” She gets up from her seat and heads up the stairs to her bed.
Solar stops her for a moment. “You sure are taking my morphing thing pretty well I notice. Oh. Ponyfeathers.”
Twilight falls onto the floor laughing. “I was-”
Solar gives an unamused glance as he morphs back to his former self and crosses his forelegs. “Was what?”
Twilight gathers herself a bit, “I was waiting for you to notice. You were about to turn in for the night like that!”
Solar rolls his eyes. “Hahaha. Laugh it up.”
Twilight finds herself able to breathe again. “If you had any idea how many weird things that happen here, you would come to find out, you are actually one of the more minor things to happen here.”
Solar has a look of slight disbelief. “Riiiiight. Ok then. I’ll see you tomorrow Twi.”
Twilight offers a warm smile. Feeling much better now that the initial shock has long since dissipated. “G’night Solar.”